2005 DODGE VIPER spare tire

▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........134
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........135
▫Tire Spinning........................136
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................137
▫Replacement Tires.....................137
▫Alignment And Balance.................138

Low Tire Pressure (Ltp) System.............139
▫Low Tire Indicator....................139

Tire Chains...........................140

Snow Tires...........................140

Tire Storage...........................141

Tire Rotation Recommendations............141
Ground Clearance......................141

Fuel Requirements......................142
▫Spark Knock.........................142
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................142
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............143
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................143
▫Materials Added To Fuel................144
▫Fuel System Cautions..................144
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............145

Adding Fuel..........................145

Vehicle Loading........................146

Trailer Towing.........................146
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TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•P(Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter“P”molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
•European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letterPis absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
•LT(Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters“LT”that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary Spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter“T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
•High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
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Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation:
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
....blank....= Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT= Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T= Temporary Spare tire
31= Overall Diameter in Inches (in)
215= Section Width in Milimeters (mm)
65= Aspect Ratio in Percent (%)
—Ratio of section height to section width of tire.
10.5= Section Width in Inches (in)
R= Construction Code
—Rmeans Radial Construction.
—Dmeans Diagonal or Bias Construction.
15= Rim Diameter in Inches (in)
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Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the,
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement“The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
Tire and Loading Information
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Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case
of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited
tread life. When two or more tread wear indicators
appear in adjacent grooves, the temporary use spare
tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the
warnings which apply to your spare. Failure to do so
could result in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle
control.
134 STARTING AND OPERATING

Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
Limited Use Spare—If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use
spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare
tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on vehicle
at the first opportunity.
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WARNING!
The limited use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 60 mph (100 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold
tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire
placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly.
Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first
opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure
to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
See the paragraph on Freeing A Stuck Vehicle in Section
6 of this manual.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
136 STARTING AND OPERATING

Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
Low Tire Pressure (LTP) System
Low Tire Indicator
The Low Tire indicator in the Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) of the instrument cluster will flash slowly and a
single chime will sound to warn if tire pressure falls
below 20 psi (138 kpa). The indicator will flash more
rapidly and a continuous tone will sound to warn if tire
pressure falls below 14 psi (97 kpa). Seek repair as soon as
possible.
If the indicator stays on and one chime will sound, a
system failure has occurred. See your dealer for service.
Although the tires are designed with a“run flat”feature
that allows the vehicle to be driven about 50 miles (80km) at 55 m.p.h. (88 kph), immediate service should be
obtained if the Low Tire indicator is activated.
WARNING!
Do not exceed 55 m.p.h. (88 k.p.h.) if the LOW Tire
indicator in the instrument cluster is illuminated.
Vehicle handling and braking may be reduced. You
could have an accident and be severely or fatally
injured.
NOTE:The“run flat”feature eliminates the need for a
spare tire and jack. This vehicle is not equipped with
either a spare tire or jack.
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